About template stream formats

Template stream formats (TSFs) are preconfigured settings for Windows Media Encoder. The TSFs identify the configuration of standard ASF streams to the Windows Media component services and Microsoft Windows Media Player. The TSFs contain information on the following parameters:

• Target network bandwidth. This value identifies the minimum bandwidth of the userÆs network connection. If the userÆs network connection does not support the target bandwidth, the user cannot receive the stream. Windows Media TSFs range in bandwidth from 28.8 kilobits per second(Kbps) to 3 megabits per second (Mbps). If your users range over a variety of bandwidths, consider using a multiple bit rate video template to create a stream that supports multiple bandwidths.
• Content type. The type of content you plan to stream has a great impact on the audio and video codecs used and the video settings that provide optimal performance. There are a variety Windows Media TSFs for audio only streams as well as multimedia streaming templates.
• Multiple bit rate video. Multiple bit rate video templates encode multiple video bands into a single ASF stream or file so that the content can stream over variable network bandwidths. This provides for the best client experience at higher bandwidths while still supporting lower bandwidth network connections. It is also useful for times when available network bandwidth is constrained, and the stream needs to adapt to different conditions. When encoding multiple bit rate video at Internet bandwidths, the minimum processor required is a Pentium II 266 MHz. To encode multiple bit rate video on higher bandwidths, a dual Pentium II 400 MHz is required.
• Web server video. Web server video templates are designed for ASF content that is destined to be streamed from a Web server without using Windows Media Services. These templates provide a simple audio and video stream suitable for HTTP streaming.

Note

• Windows Media Services can also be used for HTTP streaming and provides a more reliable HTTP transport for streaming media than the streaming methods used by a Web server. If you use Windows Media Services for HTTP streaming, you can use any of the encoding templates. For more information on enabling and using Windows Media services for HTTP streaming, see Using HTTP streaming in Windows Media Services Help.